Nicaraguan police assault journalist Kalúa Salazar, block her from leaving home
Guatemala City, April 21, 2021 – Nicaraguan authorities must stop the police harassment of journalist Kalúa Salazar and allow members of the press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 19, at about 4:30 a.m., a riot police officer standing outside Salazar’s house in the Caribbean city of Bluefields grabbed…
Journalist Jeremy McDermott faces new criminal defamation suit in Colombia
Bogotá, April 21, 2021 – Colombian authorities should dismiss a criminal defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Jeremy McDermott, and Colombia should reform its defamation laws to align with international standards, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 6, the national attorney general’s office notified McDermott, a British national and the co-director and legal…
Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal orders El Nacional daily to pay $13 million in defamation case
Bogotá, April 20, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a decision by the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal ordering the independent daily newspaper El Nacional to pay the equivalent of more than $13 million in damages in a civil defamation lawsuit. On April 16, the Civil Cassation Chamber of the Supreme Tribunal ordered El…
Minnesota law enforcement must stop obstructing journalists covering protests
Washington, D.C., April 19, 2021— Minnesota authorities must respect journalists’ rights and refrain from charging members of the press for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the evening of April 16, law enforcement in Brooklyn Center corralled dozens of journalists along with people demonstrating against the police killing of Duante…
Peruvian journalist Roberto Sánchez’s car firebombed
Bogotá, April 19, 2020 – Peruvian authorities should thoroughly investigate the arson attack on the vehicle of journalist Roberto Sánchez Mamani, hold the perpetrators to account, and ensure that members of the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 5:40 a.m. on April 14, in the southern Peruvian city…
Proposed Venezuelan foreign funding law could have ‘huge impact’ on independent outlets
When Ewald Scharfenberg launched the investigative news website Armando.Info in 2014, about half of his start-up funds came from Venezuelan donors, subscribers, and advertisers, while overseas foundations provided the rest. But amid the worst economic crisis in Venezuela’s history, local income has disappeared, forcing Scharfenberg to rely almost entirely on international donations to keep Armando.Info…
CPJ calls on local law enforcement in US to ensure journalist safety amid protests
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on law enforcement in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and around the United States to ensure that journalists can freely and safely cover demonstrations against police violence. “We are deeply concerned by reports about law enforcement detaining members of the media covering protests in…
Report: Chilean army allegedly monitored investigative journalists
Miami, April 15, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern today over the findings of an April 9 report by the Chilean nonprofit news site Center for Investigative Journalism (CIPER) that Chile’s army appears to have allegedly monitored journalists covering corruption and human rights abuses. CIPER’s report is related to the ongoing September 2019 investigation by the…
Mexico elections 2021: Journalist safety kit
Mexico will hold the largest elections in its history on June 6, 2021. Candidates will run for, among other offices, the federal Chamber of Deputies, governorships in 15 states, and mayor in hundreds of municipalities. Journalists and media workers covering the elections anywhere in Mexico should be aware of a number of risks, including physical…
Brazilian journalist Diego Santos receives envelope with threat and bullets
Rio de Janeiro, April 8, 2021 – Brazilian authorities should promptly and thoroughly investigate the threat made to journalist Diego Santos and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the morning of April 1, Santos checked the mailbox outside his home in the city of Boa Vista, the capital of the…